Reconstructing history

Dr Tessa Morrison has
recreated Isaac Newton's vision of an ancient architectural masterpiece and
provided a rare glimpse into the complex mind of the genius.

The chance
discovery of an obscure manuscript by Sir Isaac Newton set architectural history
researcher Dr Tessa Morrison on a path of discovery that has revealed a
little-known side of the great scientist's personality.

Morrison's
research shows Newton had a fascination with the fabled Temple of Solomon for
more than 50 years and a much deeper knowledge of architectural principles than
previously documented. It also provides new insight into Newton's religious
beliefs and his interest in biblical symbolism.

Morrison, whose
background is in fine arts, mathematics and philosophy, completed a PhD on labyrinthine
structures at the University of Newcastle in 2004. Her interest in
architectural history developed while she was working as a research assistant
for Professor Michael Ostwald in the School of Architecture and Built
Environment.

After receiving a
five-year research fellowship from the University in 2007, Morrison embarked
upon studies on utopian cities. In the course of that research, she came across
the circa-1680s Newton manuscriptin the digital archives of the Babson Library in
Massachusetts. The manuscript contained a detailed architectural description of
Solomon's Temple, which is said in the Old Testament to have stood on Temple
Mount in Jerusalem, and Morrison used it to construct, for the first time, a
model of the building as envisaged by Newton.

"Newton's interest in the
Temple of Solomon is well-documented but this manuscript had in the past tended
to be dismissed by scholars. It warranted only a passing mention in literature
because it didn't fit comfortably with the science of Isaac Newton," Morrison explains.
"But it represents much more than a fleeting interest for him. Newton saw the
temple as a hieroglyph for the universe
and it was an important and central theme for him for much of his life. He actually wrote
this manuscript at the same time he was working on the Principia, which is one of his seminal works."

The 85-page text was written
in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, with just a single paragraph in English. Morrison
drew on an acquired knowledge of ancient languages, garnered over the years
from her multi-faceted academic studies, to translate the manuscript.

Her novel work attracted
Australian Research Council funding and produced a monograph comprising the
translation, commentary and diagrams of the reconstruction. It was published
last year under the title Isaac Newton's
Temple of Solomon and his Reconstruction of Sacred Architecture.

Morrison designed a
computerised reconstruction of Newton's Temple of Solomon using the
architectural modelling program ArchiCAD. With the assistance of colleague Ben
Percy, a technical assistant in the School of Architecture, she translated the
computer representation into an imposing physical model more than two metres
square with over 1000 columns and 1200 window grids.

Despite the manuscript
containing only one image – a simple floor plan – Morrison believes her
reconstruction is true to the way Newton imagined the building based on his
biblical readings.

"I feel very confident I have been able to produce what he was seeing
in his mind because the level of detail he provided is so comprehensive."

The researcher contends that Newton used the temple as a memory model,
a mnemonic device employed by ancient orators. She has embarked on new research
into the ways he and his intellectual contemporaries engaged such techniques
and how it influenced their philosophies on architecture.

Morrison's research into Newton's Temple of Solomon has attracted
attention from many quarters. Her model of the temple was exhibited at The
University Gallery, on the Callaghan campus, as well as at the University of
Sydney. Publications arising from her research have appeared in journals
spanning the disciplines of history, architecture and mathematics.

"This research has two aspects that fascinate people: Isaac Newton and
Solomon's Temple," Morrison states. "The building is a significant international
symbol, yet it is an enigma because we don't know if it existed – and we can't
excavate to look for evidence of it because the site is a highly sensitive one important
to three of the big global religions.

Nevertheless, Solomon's Temple is a significant representation of
sacred architecture and to be able to see this model of it, and travel through
it, gives us not only a greater appreciation of that world, but a rare glimpse
into the mind of Isaac Newton."

Career Summary

Biography

I have continued to develop a reputation in the area of architectural history. I have a sustained and long term research program with international outputs. In March 2007, I began a five year contract as a Research Fellow in Architectural History and in March 2008 I begun a ARC Discovery Grant 2008-2010. Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship entitled 'Isaac Newton s Temple of Solomon and his analysis of sacred architecture: An interpretation and discussion of Babson Manuscript 0434.' Babson Manuscript 0434 on Solomon's Temple was written by Isaac Newton in c1680. It is written in four languages: English, Latin, Greek and Hebrew. This research has resulted in a monograph entitled 'Isaac Newton's Temple of Solomon and his Reconstruction of Sacred Architecture," published by Birkhauser in 2011. A current research project on utopia cities has developed from this grant. This project is examining and reconstructing utopia cities from the 16th- 17th centuries, that were motivated by the religious wars and oppressive political situations, and cities from the 19th century, that were motivated by social, economic and health problems which were caused by the industrial revolution. My research is multi-disciplinary and incorporates a number of research areas including philosophy, mathematics and the history of architecture. It also is multi-skilled research as far as it requires palaeography, graphic skills ie ArchiCAD as well as traditional archival research and analysis. My translation skills, palaeography in Medieval and Early Modern Latin, enable me to translated manuscripts that have not been researched before. I have also been nominated for the Early Research Leaders program at the University of Newcastle in 2012.

Research ExpertiseMy research is multi-disciplinary and incorporates a number of research areas including philosophy, mathematics and the history of architecture. It also is multi-skilled research as far as it requires palaeography, graphic skills (ie ArchiCAD, Artlantis & 3D Studio Max) as well as traditional archival research and analysis. My translation skills, palaeography in Medieval and Early Modern Latin, enable me to translate manuscripts that have not been researched before. Currently researching 16th-19th utopian cities, that have never been built but have had significant influence through the centuries. CollaborationsIn addition in the last year I have been researching how the architectural historian can use mobile technologies to enhance historic and design research. I am currently collaborating with Dr Helen Giggins on a project entitled ‘Reconstructing Victorian Newcastle through Augmented Reality and Mobile Technology.’ This project reconstructs Victorian Newcastle using Augmented Reality and Mobile Technology. The project has two levels, both public and academic: 1) the reconstruction– the viewer will be able to see Victoria photographs of the building site in-situ along with the historical information 2) embedded data – there will be an extra layer of information for each site this will consist of the changes in the propose of the building, its architecture, voting patterns, ethnicity, etc. This will enable a full study of the city and its development. This is a pilot grant and will eventually be extended beyond the Victorian era. ’

Qualifications

PhD, University of Newcastle

Graduate Diploma in Mathematical Studies, University of Newcastle

Keywords

17th and 18th Sacred Architecture

Architectural History

Computer Modelling

Research in the Built Environment

Space Sintax

Urban Studies

Utopian Cities

Languages

Latin (Fluent)

Fields of Research

Code

Description

Percentage

219999

History and Archaeology not elsewhere classified

25

120199

Architecture not elsewhere classified

75

Professional Experience

UON Appointment

Title

Organisation / Department

Senior Lecturer

University of NewcastleSchool of Architecture and Built EnvironmentAustralia

Academic appointment

Dates

Title

Organisation / Department

1/01/2012 - 31/12/2015

Membership - The Society of Utopian Studies

The Society of Utopian StudiesAustralia

1/03/2008 - 1/03/2010

Australian Research Council post-doctoral fellow

University of NewcastleAcademic DivisionAustralia

1/02/2008 - 1/02/2011

Fellowship APD (level A)

University of NewcastleSchool of Architecture and Built EnvironmentAustralia

1/02/2007 - 1/02/2012

Research Fellow in Architectural History

University of NewcastleSchool of Architecture and Built EnvironmentAustralia

1/01/2007 -

Membership - The Australan and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies

The Australan and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern StudiesAustralia

1/01/2006 -

Membership - The Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand

The Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New ZealandAustralia

1/01/2004 -

Membership - The Australian Early Medieval Association

The Australian Early Medieval AssociationAustralia

1/01/2002 -

Senior Lecturer

University of NewcastleSchool of Architecture and Built EnvironmentAustralia

Membership

Dates

Title

Organisation / Department

Project Officer and Book Review Editor

The Australian Early Medieval AssociationAustralia

Awards

Research Award

Year

Award

2012

Pro Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research Creative Works 2012Unknown

2009

Pro Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research ExcellenceUnknown

Invitations

Speaker

Year

Title / Rationale

2012

Isaac Newton and the Temple of SolomonOrganisation: Griffith University Gold Coast
Description:
Invited to give a seminar on my work on Isaac Newton's Solomon's Temple, at the school of architecture, at Griffith University Gold Coast

2012

Reconstructing Victorian NewcastleOrganisation: Newcastle regional Museum
Description:
Public lecture at the Museum of Newcastle, Honeysuckle, on 07/11/12 and repeated on 11/11/12 â to coincide with an exhibition entitled Reconstructing Victorian Newcastle

2009

Saltiar na Rann: Cosmos and the Celestial cityOrganisation: Celtic Studies Foundation, Sydney University
Description:
Public Lecture for the Celtic Studies Foundation, Sydney University, Saltiar na Rann: Cosmos and the Celestial city 24th April 2009. The audience was a mixture of academic and non-academic.The invitation was from the Celtic Studies Foundation by Associate Professor Susanne Jameson

2008

A Medieval Riddle VII from VIII equal VI,Organisation: Moore Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway,
Description:
The 2nd International Conference on the Science of Computus, National University of Ireland, Galway, Moore Institute, July 18-20

2008

Villalpando's Sacred Architecture in the light of Isaac Newton's CommentaryPublic Lecture or the Sydney Medieval and Renascence Group, Villalpandos Sacred Architecture in the light of Isaac Newtons Commentary, 20/02/2008. The audience was predominately academic. The invitation was from the president of the association, Dr Antony Howe, Sydney Universty.

2007

The Image of the Medieval Utopian CityOrganisation: The University of Leeds, England
Description:
Invited Internateral Conference Panels - at The International Medieval Congress,
Panel: Cities, Myths and Literature

2007

Architectural Precedence of Rosslyn ChapelOrganisation: Sydney Medieval and Renascence Group
Description:
Public Lecture for the Sydney Medieval and Renascence Group, Sydney on 18/04/2007 the paper was entitled Architectural Precedence of Rosslyn Chapel. The audience was predominately academic. The invitation was from the president of the association Emeritus Associate Rosemary Huisman, Macquarie University.

2006

Examining the design foundations (fact and myth) of Rosslyn ChapelOrganisation: Celtic Studies Foundation
Description:
Public Lecture - for the Celtic Studies Foundation held at Sydney University on 24/11/2006 The paper was entitled Examining the design foundations (fact and myth) of Rosslyn Chapel. The audience was a mixture of academic and non-academic.The invitation was from the Celtic Studies Foundation at the suggestion of Emeritus Associate Professor Sybil Jack

2005

History on the Art of MosaicsOrganisation: Australian Early Medieval Association, The Australian National University, Canberra
Description:
Introductory lecture for for a Practical Session for the Second Annual Conference of the Australian Early Medieval Association

2005

The Art and History of the Celtic SpiralOrganisation: Italian-Celtic Festival
Description:
Public Lecture for Italian-Celtic Festival, Italian Forum, Leichardt, Sydney on 02/10/2005 at the paper was entitled The Art and History of the Celtic Spiral. The audience was predominately non-academic. The invitation was from the organisers of the festival at the suggestion of the History Department of Sydney University.

Morrison T, ''The Canny Scot' Rev. John Dunmore Lang and the Largs Controversy', Celts and Their cultures at Home and Abroad: A Festschrift for Malcolm Broun, University of Sydney, Sydney 213-227 (2013) [B1]

2009

Morrison T, ''Seeing' the Apocalyptic City in the fourteenth century', End of Days: Essays on the Apocalypse from Antiquity to Modernity, McFarland & Company, Inc, Jefferson, North Carolina 67-86 (2009) [B1]

Morrison T, 'Albrecht DÃ¼rer and the Ideal City', Parergon: Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, 31 137-160 (2014) [C1]

2014

Morrison T, 'The Oxford Handbook of British Philosophy in the Seventeenth Century', Parergon: Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, 13 177-179 (2014) [C3]

2014

Morrison T, 'The fruits of liberty: Political Culture in the Florentine Renaissance by Scott Nicholas, 1480 Â¿ 1550 [Book Review]', Parergon: Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, 31 139-140 (2014) [C3]

2014

Morrison T, 'Â¿Celestial Wonders in Reform Germany' by Ken Kurihara', Parergon: Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, 131 189-190 (2014) [C3]

2014

Morrison T, 'Imaginary cities of the 16th and 17th century: an exploration on the utopian cities of Albrecht DÃ¼rer, Johann Valentin Andreae and Tommaso Campanella', The International Journal of Civic, Political, and Community Studies, 12 1-19 (2014) [C1]

Morrison T, morrison T, Morrison, 'Bitter honey: recapitulating the medical and scientific context of Bernard Mandeville by Philip Hilton', Parergon: Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, 30 245-246 (2013) [C3]

Morrison T, 'Reinventing the past: John Wood the Elder', International Journal of the Humanities, 9 43-58 (2011) [C1]

2011

Morrison T, 'Book review: Pietarinen, Juhani, and Vilijanen, Valtteri (eds), The World as Active Power: Studies in the History of European Reason', Journal of the Australian Earls Medieval Association, 7 157-158 (2011) [C3]

Morrison T, 'Gambetti, Sandra, 'The Alexandrian Riots of 38 C.E. and the Persecution of the Jews: A Historical Reconstruction'', Journal of the Australian Early Medieval Association, 6 124-125 (2010) [C3]

2010

Morrison T, 'Maclean, Simon, 'History and Politics in Late Carolingian and Ottonian Europe: The Chronicles of Regino of Prum and Adalbert of Magdeburg'', Journal of the Australian Early Medieval Association, 6 128-129 (2010) [C3]

2010

Morrison T, 'Wood, Susan, 'The Proprietary Church in the Medieval West'', Journal of the Australian Early Medieval Association, 6 140-141 (2010) [C3]

2009

Morrison T, 'Architectural planning in the early medieval era', Journal of the Australian Early Medieval Association, 5 147-164 (2009)

In the early middle ages the cathedral was the height of human achievement; it embodied the whole of Christian knowledge and attempted to mimic the divine. It was the ritual, spir... [more]

In the early middle ages the cathedral was the height of human achievement; it embodied the whole of Christian knowledge and attempted to mimic the divine. It was the ritual, spiritual, economic and physical centre of the city. These vast edifices welcomed pilgrims and strangers; they arose from the ground and seemed to reach the heavens. As the cathedrals grew larger and larger because of the demand of the pilgrims, there was a need for better building planning to cater for this demand. Yet little is known about the planning of these massive buildings. Vitruvius, who is considered the father of architecture, was discussed at the court of Charlemagne, and copies of his ten books on architecture survived throughout the libraries of Europe in the middle ages. However, although Vitruvius outlined a theory of planning and explained how the architect was to convey his plans to his masters and labourers, he was vague on the details regarding how this was to be carried out. This paper considers architectural planning of the early medieval era by looking at surviving plans and considering whether there was a consistent theory of planning, and, if so, whether it differed from Vitruvian theory.

2009

Morrison T, 'Architectural planning in the early medieval era', Journal of the Australian Early Medieval Association, 5 147-163 (2009) [C1]

2009

Morrison T, 'Late antique and medieval art of the Mediterranean world', Journal of the Australian Early Medieval Association, 5 204-205 (2009) [C3]

2009

Morrison T, 'Macrina the Younger, philosopher of God', Journal of the Australian Early Medieval Association, 5 213-214 (2009) [C3]

Morrison T, rubin M, 'Understanding and Living the Past and the Future: 3D Modelling and Interactive Surveys as a Research and Teaching Methodology', Proceedings of the 14th European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Managements Studies, Valletta Malta (2015)

Morrison T, 'The Architecture of Andreae's Christianopolis and Campanella's City of the Sun', Proceedings of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand: 30, Open, Gold Coast (2013) [E1]

Morrison T, 'Imperial Roman elements in the architecture of the city in Saltair na Rann', Celts in Legends and Reality: Papers from the Sixth Australian Conference of Celtic Studies, Sydney (2010) [E1]

2009

Morrison T, 'Isaac Newton: The exoteric and esoteric knowledge of the Principia', XXIII International Congress of History of Science and Technology: Ideas and Instruments in Social Context: Book of Abstracts & List of Participants, Budapest, Hungary (2009) [E3]

Morrison T, 'Planning to welcome the pilgrims of the Middle Ages', Fifth Annual Conference of the Australian Early Medieval Association: Abstracts, Brisbane, QLD (2008) [E3]

2008

Morrison T, 'Isaac Newton: The Principia and the Temple of Solomon', Seventh Biennial International Conference of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies: Abstracts, Hobart, TAS (2008) [E3]

Morrison T, 'An examination of the blessing hand in Insular art', Making and Meaning in Insular Art: Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Insular Art, Trinity College, Dublin (2007) [E1]

Morrison T, 'The Evolving and Revolving Problem of an Ancient Mystery', Theory and Practice: Evolving or Revolving, University of Otago, New Zealand (2001) [E2]

2001

Morrison T, 'The Typology of the Meandering Symbol and an application of this Typology to the Cretan Labyrinth', Symmetry: Art and Science
Intersections of Art and Science, University of New South Wales (2001) [E4]

Research Supervision

Current Supervision

Commenced

Research Title / Program / Supervisor Type

2015

The Applicability of a 'Peaceful or Meditative' Derived Asian Landscape 'For a Mega Region Apartment Complex' Using a Heritage ContextArchitecture, Faculty of Engineering and Built EnvironmentCo-Supervisor

2015

The Adaptation of Gothic Revival Architecture to Christ Church Cathedral, NewcastleArchitecture, Faculty of Engineering and Built EnvironmentPrincipal Supervisor

2015

The Australian Landscape in the Enlightenment WorldArchitecture, Faculty of Engineering and Built EnvironmentPrincipal Supervisor

2014

Key Elements of Sustainability in Iran ArchitectureBuilding, Faculty of Engineering and Built EnvironmentCo-Supervisor

2012

Assessment of Tiki Elements in the Architecture and Changing Cultural Landscape of Pacific Oceania Between 1776 and 1976Architecture, Faculty of Engineering and Built EnvironmentPrincipal Supervisor

2010

Measuring FallingwaterArchitecture, Faculty of Engineering and Built EnvironmentCo-Supervisor